Evaluating personalized circulating tumor DNA detection for early-stage lung cancer.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been widely used as a minimally invasive biomarker in clinical routine. However, a number of factors such as panel design, sample quality, patients' disease stages are known to influence ctDNA detection sensitivity. In this study, we systematically evaluated common factors associated with the variability of ctDNA detection in plasma and investigated ctDNA abundance in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Whole exome profiling was conducted on 61 tumor tissue samples to identify tumor-specific variants, which were then used to design personalized assay MarRyDa® for ctDNA detection. DNA extracted from BAL fluid and plasma were genotyped using MarRyDa® platform. Our analysis showed that histological subtypes and disease stages had significant differences in ctDNA detection rate. Furthermore, we found that DNA purified from BAL supernatants contains the highest levels of ctDNA compared with BAL precipitates and plasma; therefore, utilizing BAL supernatants for tumor detection might provide additional benefits. Finally, we demonstrated that tumor cellularity played significant roles in the design of personalized ctDNA panel which eventually impacts ctDNA detection sensitivity. We suggest setting a flexible criteria for sample quality control and utilization of BAL might benefit more patients in clinics.

[CLINICAL STUDY ON ZYGOMATIC SPINDLE-SHAPED OSTEOTOMY AND INTERNAL PUSH OF TITANIUM SCREW ANCHOR IN TREATMENT OF PROMINENT MALAR].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of the zygomatic spindle-shaped osteotomy and internal push of titanium screw anchor for prominent malar. METHODS: Between July 2011 and January 2015, 58 patients with prominent malar underwent zygomatic spindle-shaped osteotomy and internal push of titanium screw anchor. There were 3 males and 55 females, aged 18-33 years (mean, 23 years). They had congenital bilateral prominent malar. Preoperative anteroposterior, lateral, supine position, 45" oblique photographs of the face were taken, three-dimensional CT reconstruction of face was performed. Simple prominent malar was observed in 30 cases, and prominent malar and zygomatic arch in 28 cases; zygomatic bone and zygomatic arch were symmetrical in 51 cases, and asymmetrical in 7 cases. RESULTS: All patients obtained stage I incision healing after operation, without infection or hematoma. Numbness of the upper lip occurred in 2 cases, limitation of mouth opening in 1 case, and nasolabial fold deepening in 1 case, which recovered spontaneously after 3 months. Fifty-eight cases were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 10 months). Zygomatic narrow spacing was 10.6-13.9 mm (mean, 11.2 mm). No ptosis of facial soft tissue, zygomatic step, facial nerve injury, raising eyebrow, dysfunction of eyes closure, or temporomandibular joint disorder syndrome occurred. Good bone healing was obtained, zygomatic facial sensation had no obvious abnormality, all patients were satisfied with the improvement of appearance. CONCLUSION: Zygomatic spindle-shaped osteotomy and internal push titanium screw anchor can effectively reduce the cheekbones, and maintain the natural curve of zygomatic body and zygomatic arch. Because of simple operation, less complications, and excellent results, it is an ideal plasty.

[Effects of AQP1 overexpression on morphology and water transport in mouse Schwann cells].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of AQP1 gene on facial nerve edema following injury through investigation of the relationship between the expression of AQP1 gene and Schwann cells swelling. METHODS: The AQP1 expression in Schwann cells of mouse facial nerve tissues was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The transgenic protocol by lentivirus transduction was used to specifically upregulate AQP1 expression in Schwann cells. Lenti-AQP1 and CTRL (empty vector) transduced cells were observed during gene overexpression every 24 h for 6 days by using phase contrast microscopy. Cell volume of CTRL and Lenti-AQP1 treated cells was measured daily from the day of treatment, through day 6. RESULTS: Schwann cell primary cultures maintained a high level of AQP1 water channels, representing an ideal cell model to study the role of AQP1 in the facial nerve. The expression of AQP1 mRNA and protein in Schwann cells infected with the Lenti-AQP1 was increased significantly compared with CTRL lentivirus (P < 0.05). Lenti-AQP1 caused cell swelling in cultured Schwann cells, as validated by cell volume determinations (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: AQP1 is an important factor responsible for the fast water transport of cultured Schwann cells. It plays an important role in facial nerve edema.

[Treatment of auricular keloids with surgery and intralesional injection of compound betamethasone].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment of auricular keloid with dinuclear surgery and intralesional injection of compound Betamethasone. METHODS: From Jan. 2008 to Jan. 2012, a total of 186 cases of ear keloid were treated by surgery only (22 cases), or intralesional injection of compound Betamethasone (34 cases), or combined dinuclear surgery with compound Betamethasone (130 cases). All the patients were followed up for one year. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical processing and analysis, and GraphPad inspection method for inspection. RESULTS: The effective rate was 54.55% (12/ 22) in surgery group and 55.88% (19/34)in injection group. The recurrence was obvious in injection group during the follow-up period. The effective rate was as high as 96.92% (126/130) in combined group with recurrence in 4 cases, which was significantly higher than that in other 2 groups (P < 0. 01). CONCLUSION: Combined dinuclear surgery and compound Betamethasone injection has a good therapeutic effect on auricular keloids.

[Clinical application of three-dimensional reconstruction of CT images in treating mandibular angle hypertrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical directive significance of three-dimensional reconstruction of CT in treating mandibular angle hypertrophy. METHODS: Between March 2009 and January 2011, 18 patients with mandibular angle hypertrophy were treated using the three-dimensional reconstruction technology of CT. All patients were female, aged 20-36 years with an average of 25 years. Eighteen patients included: 14 single mandibular angle hypertrophy, 3 mandibular angle hypertrophy with masseter hypertrophy, and 1 mandibular angle hypertrophy with bilateral asymmetry; 6 cases of ptosis of mandibular angle, 9 cases of prominent mandibular angle, and 3 cases of introversive mandibular angle. According to the types of mandibular angle hypertrophy, the surgical methods could be correctly chosen. The procedure was planned and simulated; the osteotomy line was marked and the osteotomy was measured on the workstations of three-dimensional reconstruction. RESULTS: No fracture of mandible occurred in the operation. Facial nerve temporary attack occurred in 1 case and recovered at 3 months after operation. All patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 7.6 months). After 6 months of operation, the effectiveness was satisfactory in 15 cases, basically satisfactory in 2 cases, and unsatisfactory in 1 case (bilateral asymmetry). CONCLUSION: Based on three-dimensional reconstruction technology of CT, surgical design performed on the model will promote the accuracy of operation. Basically symmetrical appearances can be achieved with satisfactory results.